Topic 6

Magnetic Field

6.1 Magnetic field

6.2 Magnetic force
6.3 Magnetic flux density
6.4 Charge moving in magnetic field

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1. Magnetic field pattern
surrounding a bar magnet.

2. Magnetic field patterns between

like poles of two bar magnets.
4. Magnetic field pattern around a
straight wire.
Right-hand
grip rules

5. Magnetic field pattern for a flat

circular coil.

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6. Magnetic field pattern for a
solenoid.

• The field is very strong

inside the solenoid
• The field is similar to
that of bar magnet
• Can be greatly increased
by adding a core made
of a ferrous (iron-rich)
material

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The Nature of Magnetic field

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 Electromagnets
 An electromagnet is a coil which can produce a magnetic field
when a current passes through it.
 When the current is switched off, the coil loses its magnetism
completely.
 The strength of a electromagnet can be increased by

a) Increasing the current flowing through the coil

b) Increasing the number of turns
c) The use of soft iron core

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6.2 Magnetic force
A current-carrying wire is surrounded by a
magnetic field B.
Thismagnetic field will interact with an external
magnetic field, giving rise to a force on the
conductor.
This is called a motor effect.
• The effect is greatest when the wire and the
magnetic field B are at perpendicular.
• Magnetic force F will be at perpendicular to B
and I.

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• We use Fleming’s left-hand (motor) rule to
predict the direction of the force on the current-
carrying conductor

Fleming’s left hand rule

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Explaining the Magnetic force
 By thinking about the magnetic fields of the magnets and the
current-carrying conductor.

 These fields combine or interact to produce the force on the

rod.

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 Magnetic Force on a Current Carrying Wire
 Current in a wire can create a force to a magnet – magnet
can exert force to a conducting wire ( Newton’s third law).
 The force exerted on the wire is not toward the magnet.
 The direction is perpendicular to the current and the
magnetic field.

where F = force experienced by a current-carrying conductor,

I = the current in the conductor and
L = the length of the conductor
 = the angle between B and the current or the conductor.

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• The direction of the force F is given by Fleming’s left-
hand rule.
• Wire perpendicular to the magnetic field
 (the strongest force)
• Wire parallel to magnetic field
 (no force)

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Magnetic Force on a Current Crossing Field (RIGHT ANGLE)

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Magnetic Force on a Current Crossing Field (ANGLE OTHER THAN 90)

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Explaining the Magnetic force (Example)

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This is a simple motor. All you need is a battery, a copper
wire and a magnet. Place the battery on the magnet, then
put the wire on top and watch it spin thanks to the
interaction between the magnetic field from the magnet
and the electric field from the battery!

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END OF PART A

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Magnetic Force between two parallel currents

1. Any conductor carrying current

has magnetic field around it.

2. Two conductors parallel to each

other will interact
(attract/repel)

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• The magnetic field produced
at the position of wire 2 due
to the current in wire 1 is:

• The force this field (B1) exerts

on a length l2 of wire 2 is:

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Parallel currents attract; antiparallel currents repel.

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Explaining the forces
We draw the magnetic fields around two current-
carrying conductors [Figure (a)].

Figure (a)

Figure (a) shows two unlike (anti-parallel) currents,

one flowing into the page, the other flowing out of
the page.

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 Figure (a)

Theirmagnetic fields circle round, and in the space

between the wires there is an extra-strong field.
We imagine the field lines squashed together, and the
result is that they push the wires apart.
The diagram shows the resultant field, and the
repulsive forces on the two wires.

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 Figure b shows the same idea, but for two like (parallel)
currents. In the space between the two wires, the magnetic fields
cancel out. The wires are pushed together.

Figure b

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3 Magnetic flux density

1. The strength of the field indicated by the separation

between the field lines.
2. Also known as Magnetic field strength.
3. Symbol B. (vector quantity)
4. Definition:

The force experienced per unit length by a long straight

conductor carrying unit current and placed at right angles to
the magnetic field at that point.
where F = the force experienced by a current-carrying conductor,
I = the current in the conductor and
L = the length of the conductor in the uniform magnetic field
of flux density B.

The direction of the force F is given by Fleming’s left-hand rule.

5. Unit: tesla (T)

The tesla is defined as:

The magnetic flux density is 1 T when a wire carrying a current of
1 A placed at right angles to the magnetic field experiences a force
of 1 N per metre of its length.

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6. B can also be determine using: (current carrying conductor)
Example

1. A straight wire carrying a current of 250 A is placed

horizontally 20.0 m above the ground. Calculate the
magnetic field strength at the ground level under the wire.

2. An electric wire in the wall of a building carries a dc

current of 25 A vertically upward.
What is the magnetic field strength due to this current at
point P, 10 cm due north of the wire.

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 4 Charge moving in magnetic field

1. The motion of charge particle is influenced by electric and

magnetic field.
2. The factors determine the size of force on moving charge:
1. Magnetic flux density, B
2. Charge Q
3. Speed, v
3. The magnetic force on a moving particle at right angle to
magnetic field:

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3. Direction: using Fleming’s left hand rule.
4. Path will be an arc of a circle.
5. Force is always at 90° to the velocity.

Fleming’s left hand rule

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 Charged particle moving
perpendicular to a
uniform magnetic field, its
path will be a circle.

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Electron Beam Tube

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Magnetic Force Of Moving Charge

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 Comparison of forces in gravitational, electrical & magnetic field

Gravitational Electric Magnetic

Stationary Attractive force None None
mass parallel to the field

Moving Attractive force None None

mass parallel to the field

Stationary Attractive @ None

charge None repulsive
force(depends on
type) parallel to the
field
Moving None
charge and Attractive @ Force at right angles
electric repulsive to B and I.
current force(depends on • F = max when
type) parallel to perpendicular
the field • F = 0 when
parallel

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END OF PART B

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